A Land Apart
“A Land Apart” is a feature documentary about the conflict in Southern Thailand. Chandler Vandergrift and Nicole Sorochan have been shooting this film in Thailand since 2005, and we are currently in post-production. The film will be released later this year (2010).
Questions can be directed to Producer Nicole Sorochan:
nsorochan@gmail.com | 250.483.7411
Update Sept 13, 2010
Chandler Vandergrift is speaking at the University of Victoria on Thursday Sept 16 @ 7:30pm in the David Strong Building (C118). Chandler will be in town for one evening only to share his stories, photos, and clips from the upcoming film "A Land Apart." This is a not to be missed event! It is free and open to the public. Please help to spread the word and invite your friends!
Please Join us in welcoming Chandler Vandergrift back to Victoria for one night only! Chandler was recently injured on May 19th of this year, after two months covering the increasing violent protests in Bangkok. Chandler was hit by an M79 grenade and nearly died.
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He was the second Canadian journalist to be severely wounded in the reoccurring political violence which is plaguing Thailand. While still recovering from his injuri...es, Mr. Vandergrift will be returning to Victoria to give an eyewitness account of the rumbling protests which turned Bangkok into a war zone and tell us what these protests mean for Thailand's future.
Please check out a few related links:
Chandler's Blog; The Nation's State
Indiegogo (Fundraising Campaign)
We are just launching a new fundraising campaign to help us raise $5000 to complete the film. If you can help out, please consider donating. Every dollar helps!
Update May 23, 2010
"He shouldn't have any problems," says Brandon Vandergrift during an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press. Brandon goes on to say that Chandler is off breathing assistance and he is talking. "His sense of humour is back," said his dad Donald Vandergrift.
His recovery means that the film will likely meet its fall release date, according to Co-Director Nicole Sorochan who has worked with him on it for the past six years.
Update May 21, 2010
"Nicole, I just visited Chandler with flowers, he was very responsive and moves his arms and legs alot. While the drugs make him slip in and out of conciousness he opened his eyes when I mentioned your name. He will pull through"
- Don Plooksawasdi (friend of the film) via email on May 22nd noon Bangkok time
Chek News Victoria ran a good story on Chandler last night:
Chandler is showing more signs of recovery as he jokes with his brother from his hospital bed.
After successful brain surgery in Bangkok Chandler appears to be in stable condition. The Calgary Herald reports that he is responding to his doctors and recognizing people in the room.
Update: May 20, 2010
The Thai neurosurgeon that operated on Chandler yesterday said that he's likely to walk again in a few months. Watch the Global News story here. Friends visiting Chandler in the Bangkok hospital say he is responsive but has no recollection of the blast and he is not yet able to talk. This info was reflected in a recent post by the Calgary Herald today. We confirmed today that his Father is en-route to Bangkok.
Update: May 19, 2010
Our hearts and prayers are with our friend and co-worker Chandler Vandergrift right now. Chandler was seriously injured in Thailand yesterday, while covering the conflict in Bangkok. You can read the Times Colonist story here.
We will continue to update the site with Chandler's condition as we receive news and updates from friends and fellow journalists in Bangkok. In the meantime, please contact Co-Director Nicole Sorochan with any inquiries relating to this incident.
250.483.7411
nsorochan@gmail.com
If you'd like to leave a comment for Chandler please visit his gallery page:
